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Author
Topic: Tattoos (Read 8706 times)

I love Tattoos, but don't have one. Had a tremendous fear of needles. That has quickly left since being diagnosed. Anyway I want to get one and was wondering if being HIV+ would have an affect on getting an infection or any other complications or side effects that could occur.Thanks,Woods

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"Let us give pubicity to HV/AIDS and not hide it..." "One of the things destroying people with AIDS is the stigma we attach to it." Nelson Mandela

Me too I have also been wondering about that. I do have a friend who is a tattoo artist and his response to me was that he is sure he has worked on people that did not even know yet. He also said if you go to a reputable place there should be no worries about infections etc. So I would guess that it is ok. I asked him if he would want someone to disclose to him that they were HIV pos and he said no because he works as if they are anyway.

As long as you use a professional artist, with the right equipment and fresh ink, you should have no problem. The skin has about 7 layers and most artists strive to place the ink in the 5th layer and that is done by adjusting how deep the needles go into your skin. Outlines generally go the deepest with colors maybe done one layer closer to the surface.

A true professional will have autoclaved (or new) needles and will always use fresh ink. Just like a dentist they should be using fluid precautions and I have never revealed my HIV status, nor had any problems of any kind with my tats, two of which are very large. I have one that spans my shoulders and my latest addition is on my right arm that extends from half way down my neck to my elbow.

Care of tats is pretty standard. After you get the tat it will shed ink for 1 - 3 days. The ink is washable so it will not stain your bedding and after a few days it will all start to scab over. While it heals, it if itches DO NOT SCRATCH NOR PICK AT ANY SCABS, instead lightly slap the tat and that will stop the itching. If you pick off the scabbing you risk damaging both your skin and the tat. Nothing dangerous, it will just diminish the look of your tat. You will also need to avoid water and sunlight. For bathing I find it works really well to use Saran Wrap or something to cover your tat, clean yourself and then take it off.

During healing it is imperative that you keep the tat clean (use cotton padding and alcohol) and put something on it to keep it supple, like Ink Fix or some kind of hand balm for very dry skin. In about a week the whole thing will be crusty and will begin to flake off. You will shed for a day or so and then you are done.

Of course if you see any discoloration or have any pain at the tat site, you should contact your doctor, but I do not know of anyone who has had any problems as long as you follow some simple care guidelines.

Just remember to use a professional and you should have no worries and you will wind up with some great looking ink.

Absolutely Joe! You got it!! With the fresh ink, it's also important to be sure they change the ink wells. But with a professional and reputable tattoo artist, this shouldn't be an issue.

As most know here, I have a few tats, and continue to get more. As a matter of fact I get a new tattoo every year on my birthday and my diagnosis anniversary date!

One other thing I want to stress, is, find an artist who is comfortable with working on you, because you will have to disclose that you have HIV on the form you fill out. My advice, is to speak with people you trust, and get a referral...it's always the best way to get it done!

Thanks for the info. Now if I could just get real drunk so I wouldn't chicken out!Woods

NONONONONONONONONONO!!!!

Don't get drunk! Drinking alcohol prior to tattooing is bad, very bad! Alcohol thins the blood and will actually make you bleed more, and if the tatooist has any scruples, he or she will not work on you!

I agree with what everyone else has said. I have 4 tatts and one piercing. Are you diabetic? It takes us a lil longer to heal. I have 2 on my neck. I am hoping to get more some day. I want more Pagan tatts, has the idea in my head but no one to draw it for me....I don't know about the valium but I always smoke a blunt or 2 before I go get em done. GO DO IT!!!!!

I have one, got it before I knew my status. I agree, if you go to a reputable artist you will have no problems. I'm thining about getting another one. Maybe I'll do it around my first HIV birthday, 'mark' the occasion.

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If you do make the decision, see if the artist you've chosen has Tattoo Goo---either to give or sell to you. It's a very effective healing agent. Many tattoo artists go to conferences annually, take extra training, etc. I would encourage you to exercise the same due diligence in choosing your artist as you would any other service provider who could cause you undue harm. Check out their parlor/studio first. Ask if you could watch---there a lots of folks who don't mind if others watch while they're being inked.

I got my first tattoo a few years back, many years after being diagnosed. I've also had both nips pierced since then and have had no problems with either. Just follow their advice on taking care of it during the healing process. Stay out of sunlight or UV light for awhile and keep it clean.

Definitely go to a reputible (sp) tattoo artist. I've disclosed my status with no problems. As soon as I get some money together I want more.

I came up with a design of a red ribbon being held in a hand with rainbow colors coming out of the top of it. The hand sits on a cloud. I'll have to come up with a drawing to post it. I did a painting of it though and thought it would be a unique tat.

The one I have now is a rainbow colored tribal armband on my left arm of course No need for me to show a face pic, once people notice the tat they know who I am I love the unique one of a kind ones. Makes me stand out a bit.

As for my experience, I got one 20 years ago, and tried about 2 years ago to have it touched up. Made the deal, even paid for it, until the questionaire...they wanted me to sign something saying i didn't have diabetes, HIV, Hep, a heart condition...I said hey, dude, isn't there something else I can sign? Something where I don't have to lie? I'm poz, and your sign says "No Refunds." Well guess what I got a prompt refund. They wouldn't do it.

Fast-forward to August, at the AMG in Montreal. I worked up the nerve, found a studio and worked with the artist on a design, and signed a paper stating I wasn't on substances, hadn't had Hep in the last year, and was over 18. What a souvenir!

As long as you use a professional artist, with the right equipment and fresh ink, you should have no problem. The skin has about 7 layers and most artists strive to place the ink in the 5th layer and that is done by adjusting how deep the needles go into your skin. Outlines generally go the deepest with colors maybe done one layer closer to the surface.

A true professional will have autoclaved (or new) needles and will always use fresh ink. Just like a dentist they should be using fluid precautions and I have never revealed my HIV status, nor had any problems of any kind with my tats, two of which are very large. I have one that spans my shoulders and my latest addition is on my right arm that extends from half way down my neck to my elbow.

Care of tats is pretty standard. After you get the tat it will shed ink for 1 - 3 days. The ink is washable so it will not stain your bedding and after a few days it will all start to scab over. While it heals, it if itches DO NOT SCRATCH NOR PICK AT ANY SCABS, instead lightly slap the tat and that will stop the itching. If you pick off the scabbing you risk damaging both your skin and the tat. Nothing dangerous, it will just diminish the look of your tat. You will also need to avoid water and sunlight. For bathing I find it works really well to use Saran Wrap or something to cover your tat, clean yourself and then take it off.

During healing it is imperative that you keep the tat clean (use cotton padding and alcohol) and put something on it to keep it supple, like Ink Fix or some kind of hand balm for very dry skin. In about a week the whole thing will be crusty and will begin to flake off. You will shed for a day or so and then you are done.

Of course if you see any discoloration or have any pain at the tat site, you should contact your doctor, but I do not know of anyone who has had any problems as long as you follow some simple care guidelines.

Just remember to use a professional and you should have no worries and you will wind up with some great looking ink.

Pretty much what he said but I would advise using unscented Lubriderm or Curel (none of those "goos") to keep it moist. NO slapping! Some places ask status and some do not, but have never been turned down.

I'm HIV positive and I have a tattoo and am about to get my second. My first one also needs touched up a bit. I made sure I went to a reputable artist--this guy uses a different needle each person. I figure I don't want to allow hepatitis into my body. So, make sure it is a reputable artist, I'm always wary of the ones who do tattoos for cheap--I have this thought as to why is it they are cheap and I research to make sure they are doing things properly like not cutting costs by reusing needles between customers and using proper sterile technique. Nor would I go to some guy who does tattoos out of his living room. It also is good to follow their instructions for tattoo care. But I didn't reveal my status and my tattoo is rather large and I had no trouble--I read a book the whole time since I have a high tolerance to pain. If you don't, perhaps you should pop a few pain relievers beforehand. Incidently I found this guy through my parents--they are both in their 40s and decided to get tattoos together, which I find amusing because they are both very conservative and never showed a wild side before.

I was actually about to ask if anyone knew of a parlor in Atl to get one. I have two already but was recently diagnosed and would like to get another one. Did they make you sign a waiver there? Was there any embarrasment? What's the name of tha parlor?

Living here in Louisville, like me, isn't TC's considered to be the most reputable place? I went there to have my nips pierced. That was some of the worse pain ever. I thought I should just get a tattoo then, since I was already in pain. Actually, the pain went away pretty quickly. Well, until one of my piercings got infected. I want to go back to get inked. Is that how the kids say it?..lol.

Maybe I'll see ya there.

Modified to remove the complete name of the tattoo business. I've seen how the google thing works.

As long as you use a professional artist, with the right equipment and fresh ink, you should have no problem. The skin has about 7 layers and most artists strive to place the ink in the 5th layer and that is done by adjusting how deep the needles go into your skin. Outlines generally go the deepest with colors maybe done one layer closer to the surface.

A true professional will have autoclaved (or new) needles and will always use fresh ink. Just like a dentist they should be using fluid precautions and I have never revealed my HIV status, nor had any problems of any kind with my tats, two of which are very large. I have one that spans my shoulders and my latest addition is on my right arm that extends from half way down my neck to my elbow.

Care of tats is pretty standard. After you get the tat it will shed ink for 1 - 3 days. The ink is washable so it will not stain your bedding and after a few days it will all start to scab over. While it heals, it if itches DO NOT SCRATCH NOR PICK AT ANY SCABS, instead lightly slap the tat and that will stop the itching. If you pick off the scabbing you risk damaging both your skin and the tat. Nothing dangerous, it will just diminish the look of your tat. You will also need to avoid water and sunlight. For bathing I find it works really well to use Saran Wrap or something to cover your tat, clean yourself and then take it off.

During healing it is imperative that you keep the tat clean (use cotton padding and alcohol) and put something on it to keep it supple, like Ink Fix or some kind of hand balm for very dry skin. In about a week the whole thing will be crusty and will begin to flake off. You will shed for a day or so and then you are done.

Of course if you see any discoloration or have any pain at the tat site, you should contact your doctor, but I do not know of anyone who has had any problems as long as you follow some simple care guidelines.

Just remember to use a professional and you should have no worries and you will wind up with some great looking ink.

Joe there are only three layers of skin, Epidermis, dermis and the subcutis. Ink is injected into the dermis when getting a tattoo.

Interesting topic! I have 10 tats and I was wanting more until I found out I was positive, then I let go of the idea as I felt HIV and diabetes will make it more difficult to heal, I have had one tat with diabetes and it took about 2 weeks to heal right. So I am reading about you guys getting tats with HIV so I might rethink the thought.